USA is a community of leaders and learners who support and challenge one another through academic experiences, research and service that advance the Gulf Coast region and the world. South encourages creativity and discovery by linking experiential learning to real-world applications.
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South is a place where students discover and strengthen their passions, find their career paths, and form connections that result in lifelong relationships. At South, we look at the world and see things that we have the power to change, affect and shape — together. So that’s exactly what we do, every single day.
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College is an exciting time for you and your student, and we want to help you navigate through making your decision and finding resources for your student. Our website offers connections to assist you with admissions and financial aid, directions and scheduling a visit, and housing and dining options.
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Throw up your J, and join us! Your National Alumni Association membership connects you with your fellow alumni, gives back to USA, and entitles you to great alumni benefits.
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A South education allows students to explore and develop interests that build the foundation of lifelong career paths. Our faculty are dedicated to helping students reach their maximum potential. And with more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, South provides plenty of avenues for discovery.
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USA researchers are problem-solvers and pioneers, and our faculty often collaborate across disciplines. The outcomes are high-quality scholarship, global partnerships, new information and opportunities, the transformation of traditional disciplines, and innovations that benefit society.
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South’s student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports, demonstrating excellence on the field and in the classroom. The Jaguars are a charter member of the Sun Belt Conference, and our alumni have gone on to notable professional careers in baseball, basketball, golf and football.
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Dr. Smith is accepting new graduate students for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Education

National Institute of Mental Health, National Research Service Award Postdoctoral
Fellowship, Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, Department of Psychiatry, University
of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York

Current Projects

JagConnect Campus Suicide Prevention Program: The JagConnect program at the University of South Alabama is designed to address
the needs of the more than 15,000 students, faculty, and staff through a multi-level,
public health approach to suicide prevention. The program aims to establish a sustainable
infrastructure that results in increased access to mental health services for those
at risk for suicide by promoting mental health treatment resources and increasing
knowledge and awareness about suicide risk factors in students, faculty, and staff.
The program also aims to attend to the specific needs of student Veterans and members
the LGTBQ community. The JagConnect program is supported by a grant from the Garrett
Lee Smith Memorial Act and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Operation Deep Dive: America’s Warrior Partnership, The University of Alabama, and Drs. Phillip N. Smith
of USA and Eric Caine of the University of Rochester Medical Center have partnered
on a four-year research study that will examine the individual, organizational, and
community risk factors that lead to suicide within veteran communities and help guide
the development of programs to prevent and reduce self-harm among veterans. Funded
by a $2.9 million grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, as well as additional
investment from America’s Warrior Partnership and other in-kind supporters, “Operation
Deep Dive” will use unique methodologies that have never before been applied to the
research of veteran suicides.

2013 Faculty Development Council Research Grant, University of South Alabama. Role:
Principal Investigator. 2012 College of Arts & Sciences Support & Development Award,
University of South Alabama. Role: Principal Investigator.

2012 College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Development Summer Research Grant, University
of South Alabama. Role: Principal Investigator.